In the new year, I signed on to do a weekly syndicated wine pairing column in the Postmedia newspapers across the country, including the Ottawa Citizen, Windsor Star, Vancouver Sun, Calgary Herald, Edmonton Journal, Saskatoon Star-Phoenix, Regina Leader-Post and Montreal Gazette. The reader response has been phenomenal, with lots of tweets and comments coming in [...]

In this segment of Tasting Notes, I chat with Lorie O’Sullivan, sommelier at the Ritz-Carlton’s TOCA restaurant in Toronto about wines for barbecued meats and veggies. She also shares tips on choosing great bottles from a restaurant wine list. This interview was originally published in the luxury lifestyle magazine Homefront. Where did you study to [...]

In this interview, I chat with William Predhomme, Senior Sommelier Canoe Restaurant + Bar in Toronto about winter wines and pairings. This interview was originally published in the luxury lifestyle magazine Homefront. What’s the best thing about being a sommelier at Canoe? The variety of wines and spirits that I get to sample on a [...]

In this interview, I chat with Jimson Bienenstock, Head Sommelier, The Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto about pairing wine with cheese and other vinous matters. This interview was originally published in the luxury lifestyle magazine Homefront. What was your first memorable wine? In 1990, I went to Paris to become bilingual in French. My [...]

My good friend and chef extraordinaire Tracey Black developed this tender and juicy recipe for Spring Navarin of Lamb. Tracey will be re-opening her fine food store and Ottawa-based catering and gourmet take-away store in early April. Details below along with my wine pairings for this dish. Serves 4 Ingredients 2 pounds boneless lamb leg [...]

Bev and I chat about 5 to-die-for wine and chocolate pairings on Canada AM. Here are my top 10 matches to give you some more wines for your sweetie: Dark Chocolate and Masi Costasera Classico Amarone, Italy. Chocolate-Covered Biscotti and Henry of Pelham Vidal Icewine, Niagara. Chocolate-Orange Cake and Quinta de Ventozelo Reserva Ruby Port, [...]

  From the Star Ledger When I started out in the wine business 30 years ago, no one ever talked about drinking wine with chocolate. Wine went with beef; with chocolate, we drank coffee. Today, pontificating about what kinds of wine — red or white, still or sparkling — go with what types of chocolate [...]

50 Ways to Keep Your Lover this Valentine’s Day Find wines to match 50 chocolate dishes at www.NatalieMacLean.com “Want to seduce someone this Valentine’s Day?” asks Natalie MacLean, author of Red, White and Drunk All Over: A Wine-Soaked Journey from Grape to Glass. “Just share a glass of wine (or three) with your sweetheart.” “Wine [...]

Editor’s Note: I thought I’d add a few more tips to this article below to help with those who plan to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Although there are a number of spicy entrees in Chinese cuisine, there are also many with sweet and sour nuances, so choose a wine that can handle both. My [...]

While this terrific article talks about matching wine with Thanksgiving turkey, the tips are just as valid with it comes to Christmas/holiday turkey dinner … Thanksgiving, the holiday that anyone who likes to eat loves to celebrate, is just a week away and experts agree there is not one perfect wine to accompany the feast, [...]